Sir Gordon Minhinnick

Sir Gordon Edward George Minhinnick was one of the most famous and influential cartoonists in New Zealand history. Known for his wit and incredible drawing skills, he spent over 50 years capturing the country’s political and social life through his art.

Minhinnick was born in Cornwall, England on June 13, 1902. Gordon moved to New Zealand in 1921 when he was 19 years old. He spent four years studying to be an architect, eventually he realized his passion was for drawing people. In 1926, he landed his first job as a cartoonist, and by 1930, he had joined the New Zealand Herald, where he would work for the rest of his career.

Unlike some cartoonists who use "mean" or "barbed" humor, Gordon was known for being witty and kind. Historians describe his work as having a high standard and a great "feel" for caricature—the art of exaggerating someone's features to make them recognizable and funny.

He was so talented that in 1949, he was offered a job at a major London newspaper to replace the world-famous cartoonist David Low. However, Gordon chose to stay in New Zealand, where he mentored future artists and illustrated many popular books.

Minhinnick’s impact on New Zealand culture was so great that he was knighted by the Queen in 1976, earning the title "Sir" for his services as a cartoonist. Even after he officially retired, he couldn't stop drawing and continued to contribute cartoons to the newspaper for another decade.

Minhinnick died on February 19, 1992.

Today, his work is remembered for helping New Zealanders laugh at themselves while staying informed about the world around them.